Anudyuta Parva — Reflections of Dhritarashtra

Vaishampayana said At the departure of the Pandavas to the forest after being defeated at dice, the great king Dhritarashtra was afflicted with great anxiety.

When the ruler of men, Dhritarashtra was thus seated in anxiety and restlessness and sighing in grief, Sanjaya came to him and spoke thus.

Sanjaya said O lord of the world, you have (now) obtained the whole earth with all its wealth; you have banished the Pandavas, why then do you grieve so?

Dhritarashtra said What have they not to grieve for who will have to meet in battle those foremost of heroes, the Pandavas those great car warriors aided by allies.

Sanjaya said O king, this is assuredly a great act of yours, this great hostility which is inevitable and which will cause the destruction of the whole world.

Forbidden by Bhisma, Drona, and Vidura, your wicked minded and shameless son, Duryodhana sent his Pratikamin, born in the Suta caste, commanding him to bring into the Sabha the beloved and virtuous wife of the Pandavas.

The celestial first deprive that man of his reason to whom they ordain defeat and disgrace. It is for this, he sees every thing in a strange light.

When destruction is at hand, evil, appearing as good to the mind polluted by sin, remains stuck to it. That which is improper appears as proper, and that which is proper appears as improper to a man overwhelmed by destruction. And this he (always) likes.

The Time that brings on destruction does not come with upraised club to smash one's head. Peculiarity of Time is this that it makes a man see evil in good and good in evil.

The wretches have brought on themselves this fearful, wholesale and horrible destruction by dragging into the Sabha the ascetic princess of Panchala.

Who else than that false player at dice (Duryodhana) could bring into the Sabha with insults the daughter of Drupada, possessing beauty and intelligence, being conversant with every rule of morality and duty, and sprung not from any woman's womb but from the sacred fire. That beautiful lady was in her season covered with blood.

And in one cloth. Panchali (Draupadi) saw the Pandavas, plunged in slavery and robbed of their wealth, of their kingdom, of their attire, of their beauty, and of every object of enjoyment. Bound by the tie of virtue, they were then unable to exert their prowess.

In the midst of the Kuru assembly, Duryodhana and Karna spoke cruel and harsh words to the distressed and enraged Krishna (Draupadi) who did not deserve such treatment.

Dhritarashtra said O Sanjaya, the glances of the affected Draupadi may consume the whole world. Is their any chance of any of my son's living?

The ladies of the Bharata race, with Gandhari, seeing the virtuous, young and beautiful Krishna (Draupadi), the wedded wife (of the Pandavas), dragged into court wept aloud. They are even now weeping every day along with all (my) subjects.

Enraged at the persecution on Draupadi, all the Brahmanas refrained from performing the Agnihotra in the evening.

The winds frightful begun to blow as they do at the universal destruction. A fearful thunder storm raged, Metros fell from the sky and devoured the sun, and unseasonably and fearfully alarmed all the people. The fire came blazing out from the chariot house.

All their flag staffs fell down, foreboding evil to the Bharatas. Jackals fearfully cried out within the sacred fire chamber of Duryodhana.

Asses from all directions began to bray in response (to the jackal). O Sanjaya, then left the assembly Bhisma, Drona with

Kripa, Somadatta, and the high souled Valhika. It was then at the advice of Vidura, I spoke thus (to Draupadi).

"O Krishna, I shall grant you boons whatever you desire to have." Panchali (Draupadi) begged of me the liberation of the Pandavas.

I then set free the Pandavas and commanded them to go away with their cars, bows and arrows. It was then the greatly intelligent Vidura spoke thus.

Vidura said This will prove the destruction of the Bharata race, namely the dragging of Krishna into the Sabha. This excellent daughter of the Panchala is Sree (the goddess of wealth) herself.

Of celestial origin, Panchali is the wedded wife of the Pandavas. The wrathful sons of Pritha will never forgive the insult offered to her.

The mighty bowmen of the Vrishni race, and the mighty Panchala car warriors will not suffer this in silence. Supported by Vasudeva (Krishna),

Vivatsu (Arjuna) will certainly come back surrounded by the Panchala heroes. Among them, the great bowman and greatly powerful Bhimsena.

Will also come back whirling his club like Yama himself his mace. There will be no kings who will be able to stand the sound of the Govinda (bow) of the intelligent Partha (Arjuna) and the terrible force of the club of Bhima. Therefore it seems to me to be the best to have peace and not hostility with the sons of Pritha.

The Pandavas are always stronger than the Kurus. The greatly effulgent king Jarasandha.

Was killed in battle in Bhima with his bare arms. O best of the Bharata race, you should therefore make peace with the Pandavas.

O great king, without scruples of any kind, unite the two parties. If it is done, you are sure to obtain good fortune."

Dhritarashtra said The son of Gavalgana, Khattwa (Vidura) spoke in words replete with Dharma and Artha. I did not accept his words moved by the affection I bear for my sons.